Trump's influence felt in state Senate race

VENICE - Anyone wondering how far Donald Trump’s shadow extends over the political world this year need only look to a state Senate candidate forum in Venice, where the first question asked by the moderator Wednesday was whether the five Republicans on the stage support Trump now that he is set to be the GOP presidential nominee.

The answer given by former Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson — and her follow-up — illustrates just how much Trump continues to tie the GOP in knots.

Patterson first said, “I doubt that I will support anybody in the presidential election.”

“At this point, yes, I’m scratching my head and waiting to hear some consistency from the current Republican candidate,” she added, eliciting a few groans from the crowd of 75 at at the Venice Gardens Civic Association for the Republican Club of South Sarasota County event.

After the four other GOP Senate candidates pledged their allegiance to Trump, drawing applause, Patterson backtracked.

“You know I guess I misspoke because I really am ambivalent about Trump, but there’s no way I would ever support anybody but the Republican candidate,” Patterson said to applause.

Welcome to the 2016 election season, in which Trump’s brash style and controversial statements are dominating the discussion and seeping into all levels of politics.